{"id":61614,"date":"2026-03-26T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=61614"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:18:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:18:30","slug":"byd-americas-100000-ev-orders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/byd-americas-100000-ev-orders\/","title":{"rendered":"BYD Tightens Grip on Latin America: Brazil Leads as Mexico and Argentina Place 100,000 Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In 2025, BYD captured at least 70% of Mexico\u2019s electric vehicle market<\/strong>, doubling its volume compared to the previous year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dolphin Mini (also known as Seagull)<\/strong> became the best-selling vehicle<\/strong>, driving much of the growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese brands represented 20% of Mexico\u2019s total new car market<\/strong>, and plug-in vehicles were estimated to total around 100,000 units in 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 50,000-unit order from Brazil<\/strong> is equivalent to most of BYD\u2019s sales in Mexico and half of last year\u2019s EV market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Mexico raised tariffs on vehicles from countries without trade agreements from 20% to 50%<\/strong>, primarily affecting China under pressure from the U.S. government, the trade agreement with Brazil and this 50,000-vehicle order mitigates much of the tariff impact<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also like<\/strong> | S\u00e3o Paulo to Host \u201cLatam Mobility & Net Zero Brasil 2026,\u201d Latin America\u2019s Leading Sustainable Mobility Event<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Argentina, the potential impact is even greater<\/strong>. In 2025, the country sold 26,632 electrified vehicles<\/strong>, of which 76% were non-plug-in hybrids<\/strong>, leaving only 6,400 BEVs and PHEVs<\/strong>, just over 1% of the 571,308 new vehicles sold<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, BYD holds around 75% of the EV market in Argentina<\/strong>, meaning the order from Brazil could multiply the size of the Argentine EV market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Argentina exempted the first 50,000 imported plug-in vehicles from tariffs<\/strong>, which could increase imports from China<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to the Mercosur trade agreement with Brazil<\/strong>, sales could exceed that quota, significantly transforming the country\u2019s EV market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dolphin Mini <\/strong>(Seagull) became the best-selling vehicle in Brazil\u2019s retail market in February<\/strong>, with over 4,100 units sold<\/strong>, marking the first time an EV or a Chinese brand led this category<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Including government and corporate sales, the model ranks 11th overall<\/strong>, but the year-over-year growth was 64%<\/strong>, following a strong January performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This focus on private sales<\/strong> could signal a future trend, as protections and regulatory changes in Europe may reduce the availability of EVs as corporate cars<\/strong>, leaving private buyers as the primary customer base<\/strong>, as seen in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BYD <\/strong>sold approximately 112,900 vehicles in Brazil in 2025<\/strong> and aims to reach 250,000 units this year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Brazil recently revoked the tariff exemption for locally assembled CKD vehicles<\/strong>, with tariffs rising to 35% by year-end<\/strong>, BYD plans to source 50% of components locally<\/strong>, avoiding these tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bahia plant<\/strong> produces models such as Dolphin Mini, Song Pro (Sealion 5 in Europe), and King (formerly Chaser in China)<\/strong>. Production of the Yuan Plus (Atto 3)<\/strong>, currently being replaced in China, is also planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The factory aims to expand its initial capacity from 150,000 to 300,000 units this year<\/strong>, distributing production across Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina<\/strong>, with potential exports to markets such as Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BYD is also strengthening its presence in Canada<\/strong>, with potential local production through a possible free trade agreement with Mercosur<\/strong>, opening new export routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bahia plant\u2019s final capacity could reach 600,000 units<\/strong>, faster than expected, while other BYD plants in Indonesia and Hungary progress with mass production<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In China, BYD is undertaking the largest product transition since the launch of the Blade Battery in 2020<\/strong>, with major updates or replacements for all models<\/strong>, preparing the next phase of vehicle electrification in the world\u2019s most competitive market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electric vehicle technology has consolidated and will continue to grow globally<\/strong>, although protectionist policies or local restrictions could slow competition, raise prices, and hinder adoption in some markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, even previous-generation vehicles remain competitive<\/strong> in emerging markets. Despite political obstacles, EV demand continues to grow, and the most favorable markets could experience accelerated growth, positioning BYD as a key player in EV expansion across the Americas and worldwide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recently summit in San Pedro Garza Garc\u00eda<\/strong> was just the beginning of a journey that will take this dialogue across the entire region. It will be an opportunity to continue building, through open dialogue and multi-sector collaboration, the path toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future for transportation and logistics throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through its stops in Mexico City<\/a><\/strong>, Brazil<\/a><\/strong>, Colombia<\/a><\/strong>, and Chile<\/a><\/strong>, the platform will continue to promote a collaborative approach to accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and more inclusive transportation systems<\/strong>, positioning Latin America as a relevant player in sustainable mobility at the global level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be part of the movement that is accelerating Latin America\u2019s energy and urban transformation. If you would like to learn more about how to participate and positioning options, click here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2025, BYD captured at least 70% of Mexico\u2019s electric vehicle market, doubling its volume compared to the previous year. The Dolphin Mini (also known as Seagull) became the best-selling vehicle, driving much of the growth. Chinese brands represented 20% of Mexico\u2019s total new car market, and plug-in vehicles were estimated to total around 100,000…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":61603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2054],"tags":[2201,2348,1415,2079],"class_list":["post-61614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electric-mobility","tag-argentina-2","tag-brazil","tag-byd","tag-mexico-2"],"yoast_head":"\nArgentina: A Market with High Growth Potential<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDolphin Mini: Top Seller in Brazil<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Localized Production and Expansion in Brazil<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBYD and the Transformation of EV Markets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Conversation Continues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"